Our Last Lawrence Frank Memory
by Mark Ginocchio
Nov 30, 2009 Lawrence Frank
Regardless of his coaching decisions, Lawrence Frank was undoubtedly one of the nice guys in the NBA. He stayed true to form while cleaning out his office at the Nets PNY Practice Facility Monday, giving one last news conference with the press. Al Iannazzone has the report:
Yet Frank remains positive about the experience, about his future and about the future of the team.
“I’m being very sincere in that I feel very, very bad for this group of guys,” he said. “If they didn’t deserve it I wouldn’t say it. I have nothing to gain by it. This group deserves better. They’re going to break through. Guys are going to get back in rhythm and conditioning and other guys are going to get back. The brighter days obviously are ahead.”
“Many times when you’re terminated there’s a great deal of bitterness,” Frank said. “With me, there is no bitterness. I only root for this organization to be successful. I love the people here. It’s no different when a player gets traded. You don’t all of a sudden not like the player because you traded him. I love Rod. I love so many people around here. I have a great deal of affection for our players, staff, everyone. I root hard for our guys. There’s zero bitterness. I’m packing up my stuff. But I’ll be rooting hard for the Nets.”
I am legitimately touched by Frank’s words here. I’m sure I can speak for both Sebastian and I as NAS wishes Lawrence Frank the best of luck in the future. The consensus seems to be he will live to coach again, as well he should. It’s unfortunate it didn’t work out they way it could have after Frank burst out onto the scene in 2004 and led the Nets to 13 straight victories, but sports are funny in that way sometimes. Frank, without a doubt, has had a positive impact on the New Jersey Nets organization. For that, he can not, and will not be forgotten.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Very nice post. Frank not only overcame a lack of playing experience to become an NBA head coach, but he was able to keep a head coaching job for about 6 years. He’s a walking testimony to what hard work and decency can accomplish.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:56 PM
He’s a class act all the way. I still feel he got a raw deal in the end in some ways, as it was the perfect storm, but hopefully it ends up better for both sides and he is a HC again soon.
November 30th, 2009 at 10:35 PM
i hope he gets the chance to get another NBA head coachin gig in the near future he was a pretty good coach and i think he can win with a good team. but i liked the idea mike Fratelo brought up durin the Laker game with havin Lawrence frank become an announcer i think he would be a great play by play guy with his great knowledge of the game.
November 30th, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Frank is destined for another, maybe even Byran Scott’s
Good luck Frank.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:12 AM
“I love Rod”….i think this was a direct message to Kiki.
I thought Vanderweghe was gonna be our savior, but apparently he’s just been tearing into team chemistry and assembling a so-so roster…
December 1st, 2009 at 6:34 AM
Rob – don’t know if you’re a Mets fan or not, but the parallels between the Nets and the Mets are astounding. Kiki is coming across as the Tony Berenzard character (sans shirt removal).
December 1st, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Based on what we’ve learned about L over the years, does anyone believe that he won’t be better in his next gig?
Unless you’re Nellie or Byron, NBA coaching is a year-round job. These guys are lucky to have a 2 week off-season and they’ve got no time to work on anything but their teams.
Well, L’s got no team to worry about for the first time in 10 years. He is absolutely certain that every person — whether a player, doctor, file clerk, or, especially, himself — can improve his performance through hard work.
In that light, I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t spend his “free” time he won’t exhaust himself 6 days a week analyzing films, numbers and past decisions.
I think his next team will be very lucky to have him.
Agree?
Disagree?
December 1st, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Agreed Smack. I think in the right scenario, Frank could be a very good coach. I mean, this team was probably a Jason Kidd knee injury away in 2004 from making it back to the finals for the third consecutive time. Give the guy actual talent, and he’ll succeed. Personally, I don’t think anyone could have gotten more out of the big 3 because I just don’t think VC and Kidd were meant to succeed together.
The problem with Frank towards the end was he was in a tricky position where he was told to manage for the future, but he also had to preserve his own job. He picked his own job and made a bigger mess because the veterans stopped producing and the kids weren’t growing enough.
December 1st, 2009 at 3:31 PM
I think toward the end his goal was simply to win a game. Not easy to develop anyone if the entire team is buried by the misery of the Big 0-fer.
I don’t really see where he and the team were not united in interest.